Australia Protests: Key Facts About the Debate on Immigration

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Controversial anti-immigration protests are set to take place in major cities across the country on Sunday, 31 August, with ‘March for Australia’ organisers calling for an end to what they describe as the government’s policy of “mass migration”.

The government has widely condemned the demonstrations.

Some migrant workers have expressed fears that protesters will target them at the anti-migration rallies, and some Indian community leaders have urged immigrants living in Australia to “stay inside” for their “safety”.

A large police presence is expected, with several other events happening in some capital cities at the same time.

Here’s what you need to know.

Who is behind the rallies?

It’s still unclear who is organising the march, and the official March for Australia Instagram account has distanced itself from extremist figures.

Some organisers with the group March for Australia distanced themselves from the event after neo-Nazi Thomas Sewell called the protests “our” rally on the messaging app Telegram.

While details of the protests on the organisers’ site are minimal, the group has emphasised one rule for the march — “no foreign flags”.

Ahead of the marches, a flurry of social media posts claimed 1,500 migrants were arriving in Australia each day, which was repeated on talkback radio.

However, the Australian Bureau of Statistics questioned the use of migration numbers, warning they were not an accurate reflection of immigration.

Are other events happening at the same time?

Anti-racism marches will also be taking place at the same time in Sydney and Melbourne.

In Queensland, a multicultural food festival is being held not far from the rally site. Police have sought to allay fears that the event could be targeted, saying there will be no clashes.

In Sydney, in addition to the March for Australia rally and a counter-protest, a pro-Palestinian march will also take place.

More than 35,000 runners are also expected to compete in the Sydney Marathon on Sunday, a 42km race starting in North Sydney and finishing at the Opera House.

How are police responding?

In Sydney, NSW Police will be sending up to 1,000 officers to patrol parts of the inner-city.

“I’m very confident in our planning that the protest groups should not come across each other,” acting deputy commissioner Peter McKenna said.

“If by chance they do, we’ll have significant police resources there to ensure there’s public safety.”

Victoria Police said it had planned a “significant operational response” and would declare the Melbourne CBD a designated area, allowing people to be searched for weapons and be asked to remove face coverings.

It has warned that there could be conflict between the anti-immigration demonstrators and counter-protesters.

“Police intelligence suggests groups who hold far-right ideologies and extreme views are likely to attend the [March for Australia],” it said in a statement.

Police in other states have also said they are planning to have a significant presence in the areas surrounding the rallies.

What have political leaders said about the rallies?

The federal government opposes the rallies, saying “there is no place for any type of hate in Australia”.

“We stand with modern Australia against these rallies,” Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke told SBS News. “Nothing could be less Australian.”

Multicultural Affairs Minister said the government stood with all Australians, no matter where they were born, against “those who seek to divide us and who seek to intimidate migrant communities”.

Anne Aly wearing a black shirt and white overshirt, standing underneath green trees.

Multicultural Affairs Minister Anne Aly said the rallies were grounded in racism and had no place in Australia. Source: AAP / Mick Tsikas

“This brand of far-right activism grounded in racism and ethnocentrism has no place in modern Australia,” Aly said.

Opposition leader Sussan Ley called for calm and respectful behaviour ahead of the protests.

“In Australia, we protect the right to an opinion and the right to protest. But that must be done peacefully and respectfully. There is no place for violence, racism or intimidation,” Ley said in a statement on Saturday evening.

Ley said while “strong borders keep us safe”, they also “allow us to be generous and compassionate to those fleeing conflict”.

“That is the Australian story. Respect, tolerance, community. It belongs to all of us, and what unites us will always be stronger than what seeks to divide us.”

Greens immigration spokesperson David Shoebridge said the party was “in solidarity with every community that is targeted and concerned by these hateful rallies”.

“While a handful of bigots are pushing to divide us, let’s instead centre and empower the millions of Australians who are helping to build and be part of, a caring and welcoming country.”

Greens anti-racism spokesperson Mehreen Faruqi said the far right had become emboldened by sections of the media and political class.

“These rallies must be called out for what they are, acts of racist fearmongering and hate,” she said.

— With additional reporting by the Australian Associated Press